SLFP in crisis over MR’s role

Premajayantha joins Rajapaksa faction tomorrow:

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha is expected to join the pro -Rajapaksa group tomorrow, the Sunday Observer reliably learns. Party insiders worry that this expected move by a party stalwart could precipitate a wholesale shift by a number of parliamentarians to the Rajapaksa camp thereby creating a major split in the party.

The UPFA General Secretary, who left the country before the dissolution of Parliament, is presently in the US. Premajayantha is expected to return to the country tomorrow. Immediately after his return, Premajayantha is expected to align himself with the campaign supporting former President Rajapaksa.

This development comes as the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) grapples with the role it could give to former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa for upcoming general elections. The party leadership is divided whether to offer nominations to Rajapaksa to contest the forthcoming parliamentary. In doing so, the party also must decide whether or not to recognize him as the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate, party senior vice president W.D.J. Seneviratne told the Sunday Observer.

“The matter is entirely up to the President who is also the leader of the SLFP,” said the former minister who heads the six-member SLFP committee co-ordinating between the incumbent President and his predecessor, to bring about a political union.

Following recent discussions with the Committee, former President Rajapaksa has expressed willingness to contest the election as the UPFA prime ministerial candidate.

“At a recent meeting the Committee had with former President Rajapaksa, we explained to him the consequences of splitting the SLFP. The former President fully agreed with our position and said, he would not split the SLFP. He also said, provided that he is given the opportunity, he would also contest the election and dedicate himself to ensure the victory of the UPFA,” the SLFP front liner said.

The Committee of six is scheduled to meet President Maithripala Sirisena tomorrow (29th). “This will be the final round of discussion this matter, “he added.

Seneviratne said the six member committee was appointed by the SLFP Executive Committee, presided over by the President Maithripala Sirisena. The committee has already conducted extensive discussions with the President about the plight of the party.

SLFP Media Spokesman and member of the Committee, Dilan Perera said, every effort will be made to strengthen co-operation between the former and current leader.